calteacher

What is the cost of taking children to the Pinnacle Grill? Is it the same as everyone, $35?

A few years ago, we cruised with our Grandkids. They loved Club Hal. At that time the age divisions were 3-7, 8-12, 13+. We hope to board the Veendam next month. Our youngest will be 7. His siblings will be in the next older group.

Somewhere I read that the middle group now starts at age 7. Can anyone verify this? He is so accustomed to being with older kids that I'm afraid being with 3 and 4 year olds will put a damper on his enthusiasm.

Anyone have current info about the age brackets?

Sorry for responding.

The benefits of using a TA are always a little confusing to me, except that I can talk directly to her. However, most of the reduction in fares, etc. are actually found by me. All she does (and I couldn't do it so she is giving service) is to contact the company and get the lower price for me.

I wish I could say that she is discounting my fares, but she isn't. She will give an occasional perk; for example, we recently returned from a European river cruise which probably totaled $15,000. When we returned, she sent us a "wine country gift package". Only because I was wondering about the wine included did I discover that the cost of the package was $99. So, since I assume that she (large company) did not pay that cost, I'm not thinking this was any great benefit.

But, I can talk to her in person; I'm a little afraid to go with the "voice on the phone". I did recently tell her that we are contemplating a cruise that a "voice" company discounts by $500 per person, and that I might go with them. Since I've been dealing with her for probably ten years I felt that I owed her the "heads up". I don't think she can match the price since it was for an inside cabin so not a particularly expensive cabin.

Thanks. That's what I thought but just wanted to clarify it in my mind.

When "spending" is considered to earn 1 Mariner Point per $300 spent, is the amount figured what you actually pay after the on-board credit is deducted? Or, do they consider all charges to the account no matter how much on-board credit is given?

Does a Vista Suite on the Amsterdam qualify for double points? How about a Signature Suite on the Oosterdam?

Trying to maximize points as after the next cruise I will probably be within 10 points of 4-star.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Will we get credit for purchasing excursions?

We booked three cabins for our family. However, we want to pay the daily service charge for all cabins and have used our credit card for two of our grandkids cabins (they are in with adult/s). Because it is on our credit card, will we get credit for mariner points since it is our credit card, or only for those listed in our cabin?

Thanks. Another question. The Veendam also stops in Sydney. We were thinking of going to the Fortress of Louisbourg. Is it so similar to the Citadel that it wouldn't be worth the time or money. The Citadel would be very cost effective. Not so much the Fortress as it would be part of a HAL excursion.

Anyone able to give a comparison?

Sorry for the rant.

We will be on the Veendam with three dear Grandchildren. I think they would enjoy spending time at the Citadel. I am having trouble finding where the Veendam will dock and if it is a walkable distance to go to the Citadel. Anyone have any info about this?

If it is a long distance, can we rent a car near the cruise port?

Thanks.

We have requested early dining, table for 8, for our family. In looking at the dining room diagram, it appears there are only two tables for eight in the upper dining room, where early diners are served. As we have three GK (ages 7-11), I am concerned that we may be separated. This is a special trip in observation of our 50th anniversary, and we want to all be at the same table.

Has anyone had any problem with not being able to be seated as requested? We aren't quite to four-star mariners, and aren't in one of the suites. Will that be a problem in being able to have a "family" table?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

We were on the River Queen from Amsterdam to Basel April 22-May 3. The only upcharges were for three excursions which were added. Had I wanted these "extras" which were not listed as possibilities when reviewing the cruise details, they would have been valuable. Since we had already done one of the "extras" and were planning to do another on our own after the cruise, these did not appeal to us. Nor did the third "extra".

To our way of thinking, this was an all-inclusive cruise as wine, drinks, etc. were available at times other than meals, tips were included for all tours and for ship's personnel.

To me it was obvious that unless you have a huge staff at the spa, there is no way a cruise could offer daily massages to every passenger, allow partaking of "upper level" alcohol be included without raising the prices substantially. To me, all-inclusive includes no tips, alcohol at times other than meals, and at least a choice of excursions on each day.

The River Queen is an older ship without the possibility of a second restaurant. For me, the breakfasts and lunches were superb. The five-star dinners didn't always have items with which I was familiar--I don't normally dine in five-star restaurants.

Thanks. I was wondering as it seems there is often time for "on your own" and wondered (in advance in case I want to schedule something) if it would be a case of leaving at 4 p.m. perhaps. No specific port, but we are new to this. We've done ocean cruising and it seems that we've often known well in advance when we will depart a port.

We will be on the Uniworld "Legendary Rhine and Moselle" from Amsterdam. How can I find the times when we will dock at the ports and when we will also depart from the ports?

Thanks.

Thanks so much for all the information. We were in Amsterdam in June 2015 prior to a Holland America Baltic Cruise. At that time we were privileged to have the bother of a friend be our personal guide. He and his family live in Haarlam. Unfortunately due to the death of my BIL, we missed the first day of our planned three days. Thus, we missed the Anne Frank Museum. I already have tickets to visit the day after we arrive. In addition, we have a tour of the tulip fields scheduled. We will be staying at the Grand Amrath Hotel, (but I made the reservations, not Uniworld, so the cost was significantly lower.)

We are hoping to do an evening canal cruise, we plan to meet the friend's brother and family one evening. Since we will be using public transportation, I believe they will be meeting us near our hotel. I've asked them to pick the restaurant.

We haven't decided which museum we should do on our own, and which one we should do with Uniworld. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much for your help. We are definitely "newbies" at river cruising and eagerly anticipating our trip.

Just got our documents for our "Legendary Rhine/Mosellle" Cruise on the Uniworld River Queen from Amsterdam on April 21. This is our first river cruise after nearly 200 days on Holland America and we are excited.

As we look at the excursions, I notice it will say for example for Amsterdam, "Featured excursion: Amsterdam by canal", Then "Choice is Yours Excusion Options: A. Van Gogh Museum, B Rijksmuseum visit. Are we able to select two excursions, or are we limited to one excursion? We will be in Amsterdam three days prior to the cruise, so knowing what is provided by Uniworld will enable us to make better choices while we are on are own.

Any help that anyone can give based on any Uniworld cruise would be appreciated. Also, is anyone from CC going on this cruise with us?

My error. I looked at the wrong date for the cruise, and then didn't notice that the "not for anyone under 21" was actually a carry-over for the previous excursion. Since there are 8 in our party, if we do this I think we will just try to rent cars. I did find the web page about the "free" admission to national parks and have requested one. I will need to have my DD do the same if she thinks this is something we want to do since I can't find a van to rent to seat 8 (means 2 cars!)

Thanks for the info.

Just checked the excursion options for Sydney. It appears that the excursion to the fort has a minimum age of 21--won't work for my DGKs who are 11 and under. Guess we'll have to try renting a car.

Thanks. Please give a review of your cruise as we are sailing July 1.

Cruise more often,

Where were you able to rent a car. In looking at some options, I couldn't find a rental location near the port. Were you able to have the rental office meet you at the dock? What rental agency? Thanks.

Since we arrive at 8 a.m. and depart at 4 p.m, I'm a little concerned that there will not be sufficient time to 1) disembark, 2) rent a car, 3) drive to the park, 4) return car, and board again by 3:30 (my limit in case the departure is moved ahead. I agree that my three dgk's would enjoy it. They will be 11, 9, and 7 at the time, but I'm afraid the logistics just won't let us do that. I really wish we had more time there. We took this cruise 12 years ago and found there wasn't much we were interested in doing in Sydney.

Waiting an hour somehow opened up availability at Embassy Suites. So, now I am double booked (please no flaming) until my DD can check with her family and see what would be the best for all of us. The price difference was no big deal. However, it is still over four months away, so I'm going to wait a bit before I cancel one set of reservations.

I am trying to find on a map where the Veendam will dock and not having any luck.

Thanks again for everyone's help.